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Altera_Forum
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9 years ago

Monitoring Output from Cyclone IVGX

Hi I have a CycloneIVGX board (Onboard a Terasic De2i-150) and the problem I have encountered seems a very novice (nonetheless). I have a simple counter module that is continuously generating output (32 bit values that is). I wanted some form to observe the output physically so I thought of the following

(a) Onboard LCD display/LEDs:- Discarded as output generation frequency is considerably higher to support their refresh

(b) Redirecting the output to an external port and using oscilloscope to monitor the plot:- No headway owing to lack of resources on the web. Starting to believe, such a thing is not possible at all. (But I did believe till now that I'd redirect the output to a GPIO and monitor using the scope).

(c) Also stumbled upon a method of using LABVIEW with a proprietary card which may be connected to FPGA for such requirements:- Discarded, on account of not having access to any additional resources

(d) Having a NIOSII core output it to a text file and later analyse the dump.

Since My hands on experience on FPGAs is very less, I wanted to seek advice which of the methods should I focus to read/study on to resolve my problem.

Thanks in anticipation

3 Replies

  • Altera_Forum's avatar
    Altera_Forum
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    9 years ago

    --- Quote Start ---

    Hi I have a CycloneIVGX board (Onboard a Terasic De2i-150) and the problem I have encountered seems a very novice (nonetheless). I have a simple counter module that is continuously generating output (32 bit values that is). I wanted some form to observe the output physically so I thought of the following

    Do you use SignalTap II? This is part of the software that comes with Quartus II it builds a logic analyzer inside the FPGA that you are building. It outputs a chart very much like a logic analyzer.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vhkzxcexuaa

    Or if you really want to see the signal with external software but don't really need to see all 32 bits you could try this low cost product:

    https://www.saleae.com/

    Best of luck.

    Kevin Kibbe
  • Altera_Forum's avatar
    Altera_Forum
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    9 years ago

    Didn't know about either.

    Will definitely give it a try and revert back!! Thanks!!!
  • Altera_Forum's avatar
    Altera_Forum
    Icon for Honored Contributor rankHonored Contributor
    9 years ago

    --- Quote Start ---

    Didn't know about either.

    Will definitely give it a try and revert back!! Thanks!!!

    --- Quote End ---

    How did you make out with your research into the logic analyzer? I think you will find that the best thing to do is learn how to use the built in free Signalink logic analyzer.

    Regards,

    Kevin